The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has heard the former Deputy Commissioner of the State Emergency Service (SES) Tara McCarthy was sacked for criticising the SES Commissioner and deputy Commissioner and for exposing alleged corruption.

The ICAC is investigating Ms McCarthy's sacking in May this year.

It is alleged the SES Commissioner Murray Kear sacked Ms McCarthy after she raised corruption allegations against his friend the former fellow deputy Commissioner Steven Pearce.

In his opening address Michael Fordham SC said Ms McCarthy was sacked as a reprisal for alleging Mr Pearce misused credit cards and other corrupt conduct, including the fitting of roof racks and electronic brakes to his company car for his private use.

The ICAC heard Commissioner Kear never disclosed his friendship with Mr Pearce, but approved a back dated pay rise for him before going on holidays with him.

It also heard Ms McCarthy was brought in to improve governance and efficiencies and having achieved, that began to interfere with the status quo and was punished for criticising the Commissioner and deputy Commissioner.

Ms McCarthy told the corruption watchdog the Commissioner became angry when she told him she was pushing ahead with reporting alleged corrupt conduct she uncovered.

Ms McCarthy has told the ICAC she uncovered contracts, travel and overtime that was not compliant with government standards.

She says she reported the alleged misconduct involving deputy Commissioner Steve Pearce to the Police Minister's office and was told they were very concerned about him continuing in his role.

She said Commissioner Kear became angry when she told him she was taking it further, saying it would seriously jeopardise their working relationship, that she did not trust him and that he did not believe they could work together.

Whistleblower was given no warning before being sacked

Ms McCarthy says she was not warned about her impending job loss.

Commissioner Kear told her Mr Pearce's behaviour was a mistake and that she had a misguided view of him.

Months later Ms McCarthy says she was sacked in an interview that lasted a minute or less with Commissioner Kear where he said "I am terminating you immediately as I have lost trust and confidence in you".